Evaluation Highlights and Key Outcomes

Feedback from delegates was overwhelmingly

positive, many of them commenting on the

way in which the Symposium has grown

bigger and better every year, creating more

opportunities to learn, be inspired, network

and access resources to achieve better health

outcomes in their communities.

Delegates learned new skills and gained new knowledge relevant to, and useful in their current roles Delegates liaised with other workers and stakeholders working in tobacco control in NSW (primarily in NSW with a small number of delegates from interstate), sharing information, forming new connections and strengthening existing networks Current tobacco control and health promotion programs run by ACCHS and other organisations in Aboriginal communities in NSW were showcased, highlighting the barriers and enablers, success and challenges of such programs Delegates’ perspectives on Tobacco resistance and control programs in NSW were expressed and documented highlighting the need to coordinate efforts of all service providers to improve health outcomes in Aboriginal communities The AH&MRC has a more informed understanding of the needs, experiences and perspectives of their member services and is better equipped to effectively plan appropriate programs for Aboriginal communities in NSW and advocate on their members’ behalf. “This symposium is leading the way” “Great networking/program sharing opportunity”

Topics covered over the Symposium:

The Yarning Circle was of particular importance as its purpose was to allow delegates to express their views about the Department of Health review, (September – December 2014) of the RTAHL program. The Yarning Circle thereby enabled the AH&MRC to better understand the experience and perspectives of its members and informed its role as the peak representative body and voice of Aboriginal communities on health in NSW. 

Key themes:

Evaluation and reporting/data collection and it’s use: the challenges of creating an

evidence base for tobacco resistance and control programs:

ACCHSs are great at developing and implementing programs but need to reserve time and gain support to effectively plan evaluation so that quantitative data is used to support qualitative data for justifiable amendments to programs.

Program funding:

Greater direction is needed from the funder in terms of program targets and evaluation frameworks and to clarify roles of RHLTC workers Greater funding security would enable services to plan, develop and measure health promotion programs that address community needs over the longer term

Referral pathways and continuity of care: clinical work and health promotion:

Improved referral pathways and continuity of care are needed between GPs, nurses, hospital staff and Tobacco workers to increase intervention opportunities and support people trying to quit

Community engagement:

This is the key to the success of health promotion and tobacco cessation programs Programs need to be tailored to the needs of the community Use of local elders and role models and local social marketing campaigns play a huge role in the success of programs Partnering with a range of local organisations increases engagement and support for programs and events

Research and Aboriginal communities:

Research data can inform our programs, and help us respond to the needs of our communities Aboriginal people need to become more involved in research, build our capacity to be authors of research which is about us and make sure the benefits of research are returned to our communities “We need to not just be researched, but be the part of the research process”.

Keypad Evaluations

Throughout the Symposium, keypad evaluation activities were conducted to gather on-the-spot feedback from delegates about what they learned from the previous sessions. Prepared multiple-choice questions were displayed on the presentation screen at the front of the room and keypads for each delegate were distributed on the tables. Delegates used the keypads to select their responses which were tallied on the spot. These evaluation activities were popular and fun interludes between sessions and got plenty of laughs and interaction from the audience. “That was awesome- never done that before”  “Way more fun than filling out a piece of paper”